Signs Your Teenager Might be Using Drugs

What do you do if you notice a rapid change in your teen’s behavior and appearance? Their friends are coming around the house acting stand-off-ish and it seems like they all have a secret. As parents, it’s important to know the signs to look for when it comes to teenage drug use.

Symptoms of Teenage Drug Use

Just as the effects of alcohol vary from person to person, it is important to understand that each teenager under the influence will display behaviors unique to them. Some teens may display all of the signs while others only show one or two. There are many signs that your teen may be using, but it’s also important that parents trust their instincts, ask questions, and seek help if they see their teen exhibiting any of these signs:

Signs of: Depressant Use

Depressants are a wide category of narcotics that could include alcohol and prescription drugs. Common depressants include barbiturates and tranquilizers. Some signs that your teen may be using depressants include:

Disorientation

Drowsiness

Slow reaction times

Slurred speech

Lack of coordination

Signs of: Stimulant Use

Often referred to as “uppers,” stimulants can also come in the form of prescription medication. Cocaine and meth are other stimulants. Signs of stimulant use include:

Anxiety

Body tremors

Excitability

Teeth grinding

Insomnia

Irritability

Redness around the nose

Signs of: Hallucinogens

LSD and other hallucinogens can cause teens to experience long, intense “trips” when using these drugs. Hallucinogen use is often noticeable by:

A meditative, dreamy state

Body tremors

Dazed appearance

Disorientation

Nausea

Paranoia

Poor time and distance perception

Signs of: Dissociative Anesthetics

PCP is just one dissociative anesthetic, but it’s fairly well known. These drugs can be smoked, taken orally, injected, and used as eye drops. Some signs your teen may be using dissociative anesthetics include:

Black stares

Difficulty speaking

Chemical-like odor

Violent behavior

An increased pain threshold

Slow or slurred speech

Signs of: Narcotic Analgesics

Opioids like heroin and methadone are included in some prescription drugs. These narcotics, when abused, create a euphoric state of mind. Some teens who have been abusing opioids for a long while may not show any impairment. However, early signs of opioid use include:

Drowsiness

Euphoria

Facial itching

Constricted pupils

Slow, raspy speech

Dry mouth

Puncture wounds in arms, legs, between the toes

Signs of: Inhalants

Inhalants, including gasses, are so dangerous that an overdose can cause a coma. It’s important to note that anesthetic gasses cause low blood pressure while aerosols and volatile solvents, like glue, cause high blood pressure. Inhalant use is often noticeable by:

Bloodshot, watery eyes

Disorientation

Lack of communication

Intense headaches

Lack of muscle control

Substance residue

Slow, slurred speech

Signs of: Marijuana (Cannabis)

Marijuana is one of the most common cannabis products for teens to use, but synthetic marijuana is becoming more popular. Common signs of marijuana use may not always be evident but can include: